The programme, running from July 24-29, will feature major activities, including an exhibition of more than 1,000 photos and documents of the Party, State and people in the past 60 years of paying debts of gratitude, a procession of an incense burner from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, a requiem for soldiers who laid down their lives for national independence, and an exchange between heroes and war veterans and members of younger generations.

According to the organizing board, the programme is a cultural activity aimed at honouring heroes, martyrs, families of invalid soldiers and martyrs and those credited with revolutionary services. It is also a chance for Hanoians, old and young to pay their gratitude for the great contributions of heroes and martyrs to the country.

** The same day, the Vietnam Association of Business and Enterprises of Disabled Persons (VABED) held a press briefing on an exhibition of products made by disabled persons.

The exhibition, to take place from July 24-28 at Co Tan park, Hanoi, will include 20 booths to display handicraft products and consumer goods made by disabled persons. It will also introduce job and training opportunities for the disabled.

The exhibition is part of diverse activities to mark the 60^th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day and also part of VABED’s project to enhance capacities by job training and generation for disabled persons in Vietnam. The project is funded by the European Union.

** The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee have co-organised a meeting to praise individuals and organizations across the country for actively taking part in the “Paying debts of gratitude” movement.

The meeting took place in Ho Chi Minh City on July 10 to mark the 60^th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27).

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung affirmed that the “Paying debts of gratitude” movement launched by the VFF Central Committee has drawn the interest and attention of people across the country. The movement has stimulated many humanitarian activities, including building compassionate houses, caring for invalid soldiers and nursing heroic Vietnamese mothers.

Vietnam now has more than 8 million people credited with revolutionary services, including 46,770 heroic Vietnamese mothers, 665,000 invalid soldiers and 500,000 relatives of martyrs.

Last year, more than 16,000 compassionate houses were built and upgraded at a total cost of VND185 billion. There are still 22,000 families of policy beneficiaries in need of assistance.